Today I had the privilege of spending the day with a group of young people from Peasedown St John as they met the Chairman of B&NES Council and the Mayor of Bath.
So often young people tell me they don't know a lot about politics and when they see politicians on the TV they're just arrogant and not in touch with their views.
As a young politician myself I want to try and change that formed opinion. I want more young people to feel engaged in local politics and that actually local politicians do take an interest in them.
Tomorrow is the start of National Youth Work Week - an event designed to encourage young people to 'get involved' more. I hope that today's trip to the Guildhall in Bath aided in some way to achieveing that... or if not they at least liked the pizza.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Little things please small minds!
Well, I couldn't think of anything else to put for the title but it got your attention though didn't it?
The majority of phone-calls or emails I get from residents are generally about a problem they have, something that needs to be done or to express their concerns that something that has happened they don't like.
That often can be the content of my week - much of the above! So, when something good happens, no matter how insignificant it may be to some people, it makes all the difference to me.
Here's an example - I was out this evening delivering my Lib Dem Focus newsletter in Frederick Avenue when I saw the litter bin I had requested, brand spanking new! Yes, I know for some it's just a litter bin but for me it's the result of a combination of a Youth Community Council meeting, emails to Council Officers and a visit to the site where the bin would be put in.
So, the next time you see a litter bin.....
The majority of phone-calls or emails I get from residents are generally about a problem they have, something that needs to be done or to express their concerns that something that has happened they don't like.
That often can be the content of my week - much of the above! So, when something good happens, no matter how insignificant it may be to some people, it makes all the difference to me.
Here's an example - I was out this evening delivering my Lib Dem Focus newsletter in Frederick Avenue when I saw the litter bin I had requested, brand spanking new! Yes, I know for some it's just a litter bin but for me it's the result of a combination of a Youth Community Council meeting, emails to Council Officers and a visit to the site where the bin would be put in.
So, the next time you see a litter bin.....
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Conservatives and the Church
Both joining the Liberal Democrats and becoming a Christian happened around the same time in my life. It was a time when I started to see a lot of social injustice around me and at the age of 17 I wanted to play my part in trying to make the society in which I lived a better place.
For me, Christian values and principles and a desire to see a more liberal democratic society go hand in hand. Both advocate a more fairer society where the less well off have more opportunities and both believe in fighting for and defending the underdog. I also see Jesus, in his ministry, as a radical liberal. He sought to challenge the establishment and questioned the conservative status-quo of doing things.
As a political party, the Liberal Democrats have a strong Christian influence within it and currently 25% of the Party's MPs are active in their local Church.
I believe that there is a roll for Christians in each political party - promoting Christian values and working along side others.
No political party should falsely boast a greater 'right' to have Christians within it or claim that it's policies and ideas are more 'christian' than anothers.
I am writing this because over the past 12 months I have found an increasing intolerance from conservatives in the Church - particularly it's more evangelical forms. Some Evangelical's find it difficult to believe that a Christian can support something other than the Conservative Party. They believe that the Conservative Party is more 'closer' to the ideas of God, biblical teaching and thus all Christians must support it.
I find this view not just 'tunnel-visioned' but actually quite insulting. I believe, as Liberal Democrat Councillor, I have been able to practice Christianity and promote it's values in the area I represent. I treat everyone the same (just like Jesus did), I activity campaign for a better deal for those that do not have it (like Jesus did) and I believe in the 'specialness' of all people (as Jesus did).
The next time a conservative in the Church seeks to unfairly challenge my liberal demoratic views I will fervantly yet quietly remind them it is 'their' Conservative Party that supported an illegal war in Iraq killing thousands of innocent people.
I guess you could say it works both ways really doesn't it?
For me, Christian values and principles and a desire to see a more liberal democratic society go hand in hand. Both advocate a more fairer society where the less well off have more opportunities and both believe in fighting for and defending the underdog. I also see Jesus, in his ministry, as a radical liberal. He sought to challenge the establishment and questioned the conservative status-quo of doing things.
As a political party, the Liberal Democrats have a strong Christian influence within it and currently 25% of the Party's MPs are active in their local Church.
I believe that there is a roll for Christians in each political party - promoting Christian values and working along side others.
No political party should falsely boast a greater 'right' to have Christians within it or claim that it's policies and ideas are more 'christian' than anothers.
I am writing this because over the past 12 months I have found an increasing intolerance from conservatives in the Church - particularly it's more evangelical forms. Some Evangelical's find it difficult to believe that a Christian can support something other than the Conservative Party. They believe that the Conservative Party is more 'closer' to the ideas of God, biblical teaching and thus all Christians must support it.
I find this view not just 'tunnel-visioned' but actually quite insulting. I believe, as Liberal Democrat Councillor, I have been able to practice Christianity and promote it's values in the area I represent. I treat everyone the same (just like Jesus did), I activity campaign for a better deal for those that do not have it (like Jesus did) and I believe in the 'specialness' of all people (as Jesus did).
The next time a conservative in the Church seeks to unfairly challenge my liberal demoratic views I will fervantly yet quietly remind them it is 'their' Conservative Party that supported an illegal war in Iraq killing thousands of innocent people.
I guess you could say it works both ways really doesn't it?
Sunday, 12 October 2008
A week in the life of....
...me
Having a glance at my diary this morning I'm starting to get the feeling that this week is just going to be 'one of those weeks'.
Don't get me wrong, I knew when becoming a Councillor that I was no longer going to have a social life and everything I did I would have to be accountable to the public for but I would love to know what having a day off feels like.
Here's a quick glance at my diary as it stands at the moment:
Monday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5.30pm-8.30pm, attending an Open Evening with Somer Housing for Councillors
Tuesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
8pm, 'Better School Transport' campaign meeting in Bath
Wednesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5-7pm, canvassing in North East Somerset
8pm, Transition Peasedown planning meeting
Thursday
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
6.30pm, Lib Dem Council Group meeting, Guildhall
Friday-Sunday
Attending IDEA Leadership Academy Conference in Warwick
And of course there are things to fill in the gaps such as; the path that needs resurfacing next to Bloomfield Cottages, those newsletters that need delivering, those residents who want a speed bump in Lincott View, that canvass information that needs to be put onto the database, more work on the youth homelessness campaign, preparation for my tree planting event... and don't forget the gym.
So, all in all, just another normal week really!
Having a glance at my diary this morning I'm starting to get the feeling that this week is just going to be 'one of those weeks'.
Don't get me wrong, I knew when becoming a Councillor that I was no longer going to have a social life and everything I did I would have to be accountable to the public for but I would love to know what having a day off feels like.
Here's a quick glance at my diary as it stands at the moment:
Monday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5.30pm-8.30pm, attending an Open Evening with Somer Housing for Councillors
Tuesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
8pm, 'Better School Transport' campaign meeting in Bath
Wednesday:
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
5-7pm, canvassing in North East Somerset
8pm, Transition Peasedown planning meeting
Thursday
9am-12.30pm, work for St Johns
6.30pm, Lib Dem Council Group meeting, Guildhall
Friday-Sunday
Attending IDEA Leadership Academy Conference in Warwick
And of course there are things to fill in the gaps such as; the path that needs resurfacing next to Bloomfield Cottages, those newsletters that need delivering, those residents who want a speed bump in Lincott View, that canvass information that needs to be put onto the database, more work on the youth homelessness campaign, preparation for my tree planting event... and don't forget the gym.
So, all in all, just another normal week really!
Saturday, 4 October 2008
NRR development - get on with it!
It upsets me when I read letters from Radstock resident Stephen Porter moaning about things but unwilling to get up and make a difference himself in this week's Journal newspaper. It’s letters like this that put people off local politics and any desire to get involve in their local community.
I’d like to respond to some of the inaccuracies in his letter.
Firstly, the previous administration on Bath and North East Somerset Council was not a Lib Dem administration but a coalition between the Lib Dems, Tories and Independents. The Liberal Democrats have never had a majority on the Council with having no more than 30 seats at any one time.
Secondly, it is not Lib Dem policy to ‘dump as many houses as possible in the Norton Radstock, Paulton and Peasedown areas’. If he had done his homework he would know that Lib Dems in Peasedown, Cllr Bevan and myself, are working with residents to campaign against the current application to built 95 extra homes in our village. Peasedown does not have the infrastructure to cope with any more houses and until we see an increase in local amenities any new housing development is out of the question.
Thirdly, much of the expectation to build excessive amounts of housing in B&NES is actually dictated by the Labour Government. It is they who want to see an additional 21,000 houses in the District by 2026 – not the Liberal Democrats.
As for the controversial NRR development – get on with it!
I’d like to respond to some of the inaccuracies in his letter.
Firstly, the previous administration on Bath and North East Somerset Council was not a Lib Dem administration but a coalition between the Lib Dems, Tories and Independents. The Liberal Democrats have never had a majority on the Council with having no more than 30 seats at any one time.
Secondly, it is not Lib Dem policy to ‘dump as many houses as possible in the Norton Radstock, Paulton and Peasedown areas’. If he had done his homework he would know that Lib Dems in Peasedown, Cllr Bevan and myself, are working with residents to campaign against the current application to built 95 extra homes in our village. Peasedown does not have the infrastructure to cope with any more houses and until we see an increase in local amenities any new housing development is out of the question.
Thirdly, much of the expectation to build excessive amounts of housing in B&NES is actually dictated by the Labour Government. It is they who want to see an additional 21,000 houses in the District by 2026 – not the Liberal Democrats.
As for the controversial NRR development – get on with it!
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Government's Plans to put 21,000 extra homes in B&NES!
Just when you thought this Government couldn't be more insane they have recently revealed plans to build an extra 21,000 homes in Bath and North East Somerset by 2026.
Two years ago, following guidelines from the Government Office of the South West, B&NES Council commissioned research to found out how many extra dwellings could be built in the area at a maximum. The research camE back with the figure 15,000!
Despite B&NES not having sufficient infrastructure for many more houses the Council was willing to acknowledge the figure of 15,000 as 'acceptable'.
After submitting this to the Government, the fantastic Hazel Blears MP (Sec. of State for Local Government and Communties) tells us she wants to see 21,000 in total not 15,000.
I am pleased to say that at the 11th September B&NES Councilmmeeting Councillors from all parties (including Labour) voted to send a strongly worded response to the Government.
Liberal Democrats are not completely opposed to new housing we just believe that before the Green Belt is even considered for development all possibly Brown Field sites must be built on first. Houses should only be build where road networks and jobs already exist - not elsewhere.
We also believe that many of the empty properties in B&NES need to have people living in them - we have plenty so let's get people in them!
As a matter of interest I have been counting the number of empty properties in Peasedown St John. I havent't quite finished yet but I have 10 so far. Im sure if every Councillor in B&NES counted the number of properties in their ward we could reach 500 across the whole of B&NES.
Two years ago, following guidelines from the Government Office of the South West, B&NES Council commissioned research to found out how many extra dwellings could be built in the area at a maximum. The research camE back with the figure 15,000!
Despite B&NES not having sufficient infrastructure for many more houses the Council was willing to acknowledge the figure of 15,000 as 'acceptable'.
After submitting this to the Government, the fantastic Hazel Blears MP (Sec. of State for Local Government and Communties) tells us she wants to see 21,000 in total not 15,000.
I am pleased to say that at the 11th September B&NES Councilmmeeting Councillors from all parties (including Labour) voted to send a strongly worded response to the Government.
Liberal Democrats are not completely opposed to new housing we just believe that before the Green Belt is even considered for development all possibly Brown Field sites must be built on first. Houses should only be build where road networks and jobs already exist - not elsewhere.
We also believe that many of the empty properties in B&NES need to have people living in them - we have plenty so let's get people in them!
As a matter of interest I have been counting the number of empty properties in Peasedown St John. I havent't quite finished yet but I have 10 so far. Im sure if every Councillor in B&NES counted the number of properties in their ward we could reach 500 across the whole of B&NES.
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Lib Dems and the media
It's always encouraging to see the Lib Dems doing well in the polls.... but that's what we always see after the Party Conference!
All year round the two bigger parties do well (perhaps with the exception of Labour in this instance) because the media always gives them attention and is intrigued about 'What has David Cameron had for breakfast?' or 'Where is Gordon Brown going on his holiday?'
I am convinced that if the media gave all three parties the same attention and coverage all year round the Lib Dems would always be showing at (the least) 25% in the polls.
Unfortunately I could not make the Party Conference in Bournmouth this year but I have heard it was one of the best. We have a fantastic Leader in Nick Clegg and our new plans to cut income tax from 20% to 16% really will help those on middle and low incomes (who Labour have negleted for so long).
Our message is simple - we want to tax pollution, not people! All we need now is the media is to give us and our ideas more air-time.
All year round the two bigger parties do well (perhaps with the exception of Labour in this instance) because the media always gives them attention and is intrigued about 'What has David Cameron had for breakfast?' or 'Where is Gordon Brown going on his holiday?'
I am convinced that if the media gave all three parties the same attention and coverage all year round the Lib Dems would always be showing at (the least) 25% in the polls.
Unfortunately I could not make the Party Conference in Bournmouth this year but I have heard it was one of the best. We have a fantastic Leader in Nick Clegg and our new plans to cut income tax from 20% to 16% really will help those on middle and low incomes (who Labour have negleted for so long).
Our message is simple - we want to tax pollution, not people! All we need now is the media is to give us and our ideas more air-time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)